Eight Best Exercises to Support Your Spine Plank Hold Plank holds are a great way to stabilize muscles and build muscle endurance. During a plank hold the abdominal muscles are held in an isometric contraction, which means the muscles are shortened without causing movement at the joints. Correct plank form involves tightening the abdominal muscles and keeping the body in a straight line. Avoid raising the hips too high because this will involve a different set of muscles. Steps: Duration: 30 seconds – 2 minutes Level: Beginner Warning: Avoid if […]READ MORE

7 Tips for Post Race Soreness Training well is a great way to avoid injury and limit soreness after a race. If you are sore after your race, that can still be normal because the excitement from the race can make us push ourselves even harder. Here are a few tips for you. Hydrate after the race Eat something soon after your run Stretch on your own or utilize the health care professionals at the race to stretch you Ice any sore areas Take a warm epsom salt bath Go […]READ MORE

Stretching: everything you need to know Before running, your body is not warm enough for static stretching. Dynamic stretching will help warm you up and get your body ready for a run Best dynamic stretches for running (do each for about 1 minute) Cat camel, especially if you sit at a desk all day to transition your body away for desk work Walking lunge or warrior lunge (out and back on the same leg) to promote hip and ankle mobility Lateral/Side lunge to active glutes and inner leg muscles Front […]READ MORE

Time for new shoes or time for better running form? Common shoe wear patterns and the problems associated with them When you run, the part of your shoe that hits the ground first will wear down faster causing a pattern. By analyzing the bottom of your running shoes after you have really worn them in, you can see if you have a faulty gait pattern that can possibly cause injuries. Here is a list of common wear patterns and the proper fixes for them. 1. Wear on the inside […]READ MORE

Here are some quick tips on how to stay motivated while working out! Getting injured is the easiest way to lose motivation. Prevent injuries with these easy tips. Get enough sleep Eat well Drink enough water Warm up and cool down Don’t skip the short runs Don’t run on rest days, but cross training is okay Have an expert check your form Wear the right shoes (and not too old of shoes) Have a doctor take a look at the first sign of injuryREAD MORE

Who should do this twisting stretch? Anyone who feels like they slouch when they sit People who sit many hours in a day at a desk People with neck, shoulder or upper back pain How to do this twisting stretch: Begin laying on your side with your pelvis facing straight and your arms in front of you. Your bottom leg should be straight and you can prop your bent top leg on a pillow or foam roller for comfort. Place your palms together then reach past your fingertips and into […]READ MORE

Who should do this upper back exercise? Anyone who feels like they slouch when they sit People who sit many hours in a day at a desk People with neck, shoulder or upper back pain How to do this upper back exercise: Start with your feet 6 inches from the wall, knees can be bent. Lean your back against the wall so your whole spine and head are touching the wall. Reach your arms up like you are making a goal post shape and place your arms and back of […]READ MORE

Who should do Glute Pulses? Everyone- It is important to build back and glute muscles as much as core muscles People with low back pain People who sit all day Athletes looking to switch up their routine How to do Glute Pulses Begin on all fours. Brace your abdominals by squeezing them tightly. Maintain this braced feeling throughout the exercise. Lift one leg keeping the knee bent to 90 degrees. Do not let your low back sink down. Lift the leg past the point where it is even with the […]READ MORE

Who should do Bird Dog? The best thing about the bird dog exercise is that it is safe for everyone! It builds a strong core to support your spine while keeping your low back stable and safe. It can also tell you a lot about where you are weak. For example, if lifting an arm is harder your upper back maybe need more work. If lifting a leg is harder, your lower back needs work. If you fall to the side when you try to lift both, your glutes will […]READ MORE

Low back pain affects at least 80% of people at some point in their lives. It is considered a leading cause of disability by the World Health Organization. It is usually recurrent and the cause can be difficult to diagnose. WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR YOUR LOW BACK PAIN? These stretches are safe for everyone. If you have low back pain or want to prevent yourself from getting low back pain, you can start with some simple exercises and stretches that work on the muscles associated with keeping your pelvis […]READ MORE